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How to Create a Marketing Plan Inspired by the Olympics

Posted on 07/23/2012

National pride swells at the Olympics. Amateur athletes find new heroes. And Americans take their passion for sports and athletic competition to a whole new level. This Friday marks the start of the London 2012 Olympic games and we’re beside ourselves with excitement. But our enthusiasm is more about your business than it is about the games.

As professional marketers we’re passionate about spreading the word. That’s why the Summer Olympics have us dreaming up new ways for you to promote your products and services.

Trademark and sponsorship issues make any mention of the official Olympics a no-no for your marketing plan. But don’t swear off the games just yet. Use them as inspiration to liven up your marketing strategy. Keep reading to learn how to infuse your marketing plan with the spirit of the Olympics.

For the Love of the Game
The Olympics demand national attention every four years because there’s an event for everyone. From basketball to badminton, synchronized swimming to weightlifting, the Olympic games are so diverse that they appeal to every kind of audience member.

Think of your business’s suite of services as the event list at the Olympics. One offering will fit the needs of one customer, but not another. Your goal is to match up the right product with the right client.

Game, Set, Match
Direct mail works because it forges connections between your business and its prospects or customers. It’s the best way to help your leads find their perfect match.

A personalized direct mail campaign initiates a relationship between your business and your prospects. It’s a way to introduce your company and subtly show leads that your products will solve their challenges.

You’ve got to do your homework before inventing the perfect direct mail piece for your dream prospect. Get the most out of personalized direct mail by referring to solid data first. With data to backup your piece, your marketing campaign will be worthy of a gold medal.

The Winning Combination
Champion swimmer Michael Phelps has already won sixteen gold medals, and he’ll surely earn more at the London Olympics. There’s a lesson in Phelps’ training schedule for the games too: he doesn’t just workout in the pool. Phelps also logs long hours in the weight room.

Model your business’s marketing campaign after Phelps’ hybrid training regimen. Your direct mail piece can start the conversation with prospects, but coordinated signage and other promotional pieces may close the deal.

When you get hooked on watching the Olympics in the coming weeks, keep an eye out for competitive wisdom to shake up your marketing plan.